Sydney-based production car team Pollicina Motorsports is attempting a successful return to national frontline competition, entering a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII for the upcoming Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour on the weekend of February 12-14.
The once around the clock event captured the attention of the team’s owner-driver, Jim Pollicina, for last year’s race when he took part in a two car team effort by New Zealander John Sax with car preparation by Greg Murphy Racing. He partnered with Western Australian drivers John O’Dowd and Todd Zani in a HSV VYII GTS Sedan and the trio showed early promise in the opening couple of hours of the 2009 race, before Pollicina overcooked the HSV coming out of the Chase and glanced the wall. Despite the setback and the subsequent repair work that followed, they climbed back to finish a respectable 20th outright.
This year, Pollicina is taking the 12 Hour very seriously. Having narrowly won the Privateers’ Cup in the 2007 Australian Performance Car Championship and then dominating to win the 2009 NSW Combined Touring Championship in his HSV VY GTS Sedan, the next title on his ‘must win’ list is the 12 Hour race itself. With that goal in mind, he believes that he has chosen the right car to do the job and states his reasons behind his choice.
“The Evo 8 is a reliable lightweight car that in the right conditions is highly competitive," Pollicina said."When I had my HSV prepared at the Melbourne Performance Centre whilst campaigning in Performance Car, the Evo VIII which I'll be driving in the 12 Hour was also prepared by them and as such, I know it’s potential. While the newer Evo X RS has a little more power, the Evo VIII is lighter and will be friendlier on its brakes and tyres”
Pollicina considered his options before purchasing the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII for the event. Although the car is two generations older than the current Evo X RS, the ex-Garry Young Evo VIII, which won the 2007 Australian Performance Car Championship, is a well proven car and he hasn’t skimped on preparation either. Impressed by their work ethic at last year’s race, Greg Murphy Racing, led under the expert guidance of former V8 Ute and Performance Car compeitor Dean Lillie has been enlisted again by Pollicina Motorsports to prepare the car for the 2010 event and is entered under the Greg Murphy Racing banner. It also helps that there is a very strong,friendly bond between Pollcina and Lillie which makes this partnershp a strong one.
“The team at Greg Murphy Racing are a sharp professional outfit and under Dean's direction, I trust his ability to prepare a strong reliable package" he said. "Dean and I met in 2006 when I purchased his HSV race car and we have remained friends ever since. Dean also prepared and managed this particular Evo VIII at the Melbourne Performance Centre in 2007 for Garry Young, thus he knows the car really well.”
Pollicina will be joined once again by John O’Dowd and has recruited Victorian Porsche driver Simon Middleton for the three driver team. Western Australian born O'Dowd will be making his second Bathurst 12 Hour appearance following his debut run last year. O'Dowd's previous racing experience is predominantly tarmac rally based and has competed in a number of state and national rallies in his HSV GTO Coupe, including the Targa West Rally and Targa Tasmania.
Thirty-eight year old Middleton will make both his 12 Hour and Mount Panorama debut alongside the established duo. His racing background has a distinct Stuttgart flavour behind it, having previously competed in Australian Porsche Drivers' Challenge in 2005, winning the Island Magic sports car race with Peter Hill and finishing third in the 2007 Mt Buller Sprint. He reccently competed in a limited campaign in last year's Vodka O Australian GT Championship for Greg Murphy Racing. With this vital link, he brings a wealth of knowedge and expertise of GMR to the driver lineup.
Major sponsorship support will come from Pollicina Motorsports long time supporters, Martini Racing lubricants and McDonalds Australia. Pollicina and his team are also planning to defend their 2009 NSW Combined Touring crown as well as competing in some rounds of the Australian Manufacturers’ Championship. This thus makes 2010 the busiest year for Jim and his team.
The 2010 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at Mount Panorama, Bathurst on February 12-14, 2010.